Colin Kaepernick approaching NFL teams in need of a quarterback but controversial reputation making owners wary
With multiple NFL teams hunting for game-changing quarterbacks in the wake of injuries to their existing players, Colin Kaepernick has expressed an active interest in pursuing those vacancies. However, reports state that his controversial reputation might be getting in the way of him being taken on by any team. Kaepernick was the first NFL player to take a knee during the national anthem as a protest against racism and police brutality.
According to journalist Chris Williamson, Kaepernick's agent has reportedly reached out to many teams in need of another signal-caller. Williamson, in a tweet on Wednesday, wrote: "Source close to @Kaepernick7 in light of all the QB injuries: 'Colin is literally in the best shape of his life. He’s been working out 5 days a week at 5 am for 3 years. He wants to play and his agent has been contacting teams in need of a QB.'"
Kaepernick hasn’t played a down since opting out of his contract in 2016, the same year the quarterback began his protest when he was with the San Francisco 49ers at the time. The player stirred a national controversy in an effort to protest rampant police brutality in the country. Other players soon took his cue and joined the protest in the 2016 season, while many others have continued the protest till now.
Kaepernick's movement drew heavy criticism from President Donald Trump, who even called for the owners of the NFL teams to fire the players who were participating in it. The NFL, last year, had announced a rule which required all the players to stand during the national anthem. The association, however, gave an option to the players to stand off the field until the ceremony was over instead of kneeling outside.
The player, however, has continued to keep in shape, in hope that a franchise will sign him and he'll get to play again.
Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly lost their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to season-ending elbow surgery on Monday, while the Saints are expected to be without Drew Brees for an estimated period of six weeks due to an injury. Reports state that another NFL team, the Panthers, could also be without Cam Newton for a while, and the Jets are down to their third-stringer Luke Falk.
Kaepernick, who had led San Francisco to the 2013 Super Bowl, last February had reached a confidential settlement with the NFL after alleging that the league blackballed him.